What the law requires
Duties in plain words; the overview shows who is bound.
| Requirement | What it means | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Pay schedule | At least twice a month: weekly pay within 7 days, semi-monthly or bi-weekly within 13 days after the period. Executive, administrative and professional staff may be paid monthly, up to 21 days after | 3, 4 |
| Payment method | Check, direct deposit to the employee's chosen account, or a compliant payroll card | 4, 14.5 |
| Final pay | Wages, earned commissions, bonuses and vacation by the next regular payday at the latest. Policy cannot forfeit earned vacation | 5 |
| Deductions | Only if required by law, to the employee's benefit, under a valid assignment or order, or with written consent given freely at the time (extra rules for a few public bodies) | 9 |
| Hiring notice | Pay rate, payday and place of payment at hire, and notice before any change | 10(a) |
| Pay stubs | Itemized stub each period; keep a copy 3 years; copies within 21 days of a request | 10(b)-(d) |
| Expenses | Reimburse necessary work expenses; employee submits within 30 days unless a written policy allows longer (accountable plans) | 9.5 |
| Tips | Pay tips to employees; hold back only a proportionate share of card fees | 4.1 |
| Posting | Notice of paydays and the IDOL summary; email or post online for remote staff | 3, 10(e) |
Key numbers and dates
| Item | Amount or date | Year in force | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damages for late wages | Underpayment plus 5% a month; fees in a civil action | 2026 | Sec. 14(a) |
| IDOL fee | $500, $750 or $1,250 (before: $250, $500, $1,000) | Since Aug. 1, 2025 | Sec. 14(b) |
| Civil penalty, other violations | Up to $500 per violation | 2026 | Sec. 14(d) |
| IDOL claim deadline | 1 year after pay was due | 2026 | Sec. 11 |
| Construction contracts | Private contracts over $20,000 from July 1, 2022 (some exemptions): prime contractor liable for subcontractors' wages; claims within 3 years | 2026 | Sec. 13.5 |
Source: 820 ILCS 115/14(b); P.A. 104-135
Recent and pending changes
- January 1, 2024 (P.A. 103-201): wage-claim application process; email or website notice for remote staff.
- January 1, 2025 (P.A. 103-953): pay stub definition, 3-year retention and copy requests.
- August 1, 2025 (P.A. 104-135): higher IDOL fees; the 5% and 1% amounts keep running during an IDOL hearing until the final order becomes a State debt; new Section 20 on older claims.
Penalties and enforcement
IDOL's Fair Labor Standards Division takes wage claims: a worker files a signed application within 1 year, or sues in circuit court instead, not both. State's Attorneys also enforce; the Attorney General represents IDOL in penalty actions. See the checklist and Illinois pages.
| Tier | What applies |
|---|---|
| Damages | Underpayment plus 5% a month; attorney's fees and costs in a civil action |
| IDOL fee | $500, $750 or $1,250 |
| No response to a demand or order | 20% of the amount owed to IDOL and 1% a day to the employee, after 15 days from a demand or 35 days from an order |
| Other violations, such as no pay stub | Up to $500 each, scaled to business size and seriousness |
| Willful refusal to pay, on conviction | Class B misdemeanor ($5,000 or less) or Class A (over $5,000), each day separate; Class 4 felony for a repeat within 2 years of a conviction |
| Retaliation | Class C misdemeanor, plus relief and, in court, costs and fees |
Official sources
- Illinois General Assembly: 820 ILCS 115, Wage Payment and Collection Act
- Illinois Department of Labor: Wage Payment and Collection Act
- Illinois Department of Labor: Deductions from pay FAQ
- Illinois General Assembly: Public Act 104-135
This page is a plain-language summary. The official source controls if there is any difference.